Takashi Yagihashi

Over his 25-year career, Takashi Yagihashi has been lauded by diners and critics for his exquisite ways of melding contemporary French, Asian, and American cuisine. A native of Mito, Japan, Yagihashi stumbled into a culinary career after graduating from Tokyo Design School with an Interior Design degree. Intrigued by American culture and cuisine, Yagihashi accepted a cooking opportunity in the US. After gaining acclaim at Tribute in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and at Okada restaurant at the Wynn Las Vegas, he moved on to Chicago where he opened his own restaurant, Takashi, in 2007. Esquire and Chicago magazines named Takashi a Best New Restaurant and in 2010, the restaurant earned a Michelin star.

Following his first success, Yagihashi opened Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi at Macy’s on State Street, which was named one of the Five Best Noodle Shops in America by Bon Appetit in 2009. In 2011, Yagihashi opened the hit Slurping Turtle, earning him a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award in 2013. That same year, venturing on a new concept, Takashi launched Tabo Sushi by Takashi and a year later he expanded Slurping Turtle to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Yagihashi’s accolades being named a Food & Wine Best New Chef and receiving the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Midwest in 2003. He has also competed on Top Chef Masters (he was awarded “fan favorite”) and Iron Chef, and appeared on Top Chef as a judge. Yagihashi also competed against former Top Chef and Top Chef Masters personalities in the 2014 Bravo series Top Chef Duels.